WEST PALM BEACH - The South Florida Water Management District issued a once-a-week watering restriction for the first time in the district's history, according to a press release the district issued.
The restrictions, which take effect Jan. 15, will not really change anything in Highlands County. This is because a separate order, also approved Thursday, gave enforcement rights for Highlands County to the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Homeowners in SFWMD will still paying taxes to them, even though "Swiftmud" will issue and enforce their restrictions over the entire county.
SFWMD feared that Lake Okeechobee, at an elevation of 10.16 feet, was going to sink to a new low before the end of the dry season. Water supplies from Okeechobee are already physically restricted by its low water elevation, and SFWMD hoped to use Lake Istokpoga's water to replace part of the lost supply. That request, sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville, is still pending approval.
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